2025 documentary grant cycle
The Berkeley FILM Foundation supports East Bay-based emerging and established independent filmmakers whose work combines intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium. We support documentary works that have a social consciousness and address complex issues of our time.
BFF follows many aspects of IDA’s Core Application. A new version was released in the fall of 2022 and is incorporated into BFF’s application. However, it is not identical to the Core, so please be sure to read the questions carefully and complete the answers to the best of your ability.
What Do We Fund
Berkeley FILM Foundation provides grants in the production, post-production, and distribution stages of the film project. We do not fund projects in the pre-production or development phase. Applicants may submit one project for consideration per funding cycle.
The Berkeley FILM Foundation is interested in films that have a social consciousness and shine a light on untold stories of oppression or historical mistreatment, stories celebrating underrepresented communities, films about environmental degradation or climate change, educational films about little-known science, health, or local history, or profile films of an individual who is challenging norms or fighting the status quo. We value films of varying styles and types, from verité to direct cinema.
We judge films based on originality and creativity. Does the film tell a new story or contain a unique angle on an old premise? Is the filmmaker telling the story with imagination and using new techniques?
The subject of the film is also taken into consideration. Does this story need to be told? Is this a film that will gain a wide audience both within and outside of serious film viewers? Does the filmmaking team display a level of professionalism that will enable the film to be completed?
We also consider the issue of authorship: Why is this person telling this story? Is this the right person to be telling this story? These are some examples of things that the team could address in the application.